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Message
re: HS aged son has expressed interest in joining the military
Posted on 11/15/22 at 10:08 pm to TheBaker
Posted on 11/15/22 at 10:08 pm to TheBaker
So in order to join as an officer, you first must have been in ROTC while in college ? I never knew that . . I always thought that you could just join the military as an officer as long as you had a college degree .
ETA i guess i dont understand why someone would just ‘enlist’ if they have a college degree and could join up as an officer .
.
ETA i guess i dont understand why someone would just ‘enlist’ if they have a college degree and could join up as an officer .
.
This post was edited on 11/15/22 at 10:10 pm
1
Posted on 11/15/22 at 10:10 pm to CountMeIn
He’ll either end up fighting in some useless war overseas or have some woke commander here who wants to have him open fire on conservative Americans. I’d have him look elsewhere.
Posted on 11/15/22 at 10:11 pm to CountMeIn
Your concerns are well-founded.
(Military veteran, infantry-focused).
(Military veteran, infantry-focused).
Posted on 11/15/22 at 10:13 pm to CountMeIn
No way in hell would I join the military and their social experiments now. I can't imagine how bad it's gotten in the 30 yrs sinc I was in. Screw that. Mandatory vax. Mandatory harassment training, Mandatory sexual orientation training. Frik that. Nothing to do with actual operational readiness.
Posted on 11/15/22 at 10:14 pm to BK Lounge
USAF has expected Sr NCOs to have bachelors degrees to promote for 20+ years. Dont need degree to enlist but need to earn Associates and Bachelors for career advancement into Sr enlisted ranks. Plenty enlist with some college and a few with bachelors complete that either didnt get OTS/OCSslots, got persuaded it was easier to enlist first then commission, or just choose not to go officer.
Posted on 11/15/22 at 10:16 pm to CountMeIn
quote:
Where would the OT start in educating the young lad on the political dynamics of our times so that he could make an informed decision as to whether current causes are worth dying for?
My son is applying to A&M Air Force ROTC very soon. We're touring the campus after our Football game in a couple weeks.
His backup is LSU Air Force ROTC and he's perfectly fine with that.
He's planning to study Electrical Engineering and his primary goal is to be a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force. Then he plans to be an engineer in the private sector when he's done serving our country.
FWIW He did NOT get any of his ambition, math skills, nor discipline from me.
TLDR I wouldn't suggest going to college first unless he's got a shot at playing a varsity sport at one of the academies.
Posted on 11/15/22 at 10:21 pm to CountMeIn
quote:I appreciate his willingness to serve and your support for him. Having served nearly forty years in uniform, I would not recommend to him (or you) that he do this. Find another vocation or profession.
CountMeIn
Posted on 11/15/22 at 10:30 pm to mikelbr
quote:
His backup is LSU Air Force ROTC and he's perfectly fine with that.
He's planning to study Electrical Engineering and his primary goal is to be a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force. Then he plans to be an engineer in the private sector when he's done serving our country.
My son is doing something similar. He want's to try being a pilot first, then an engineer. He actually has his first flight lesson next week. Kid has been getting flight sim chit for his bday and Christmas for years... Looks like a damn 737 cockpit in his room right now!
Posted on 11/15/22 at 10:32 pm to BK Lounge
Ways to be a commissioned officer.
Service Academy, ROTC, OCS , and direct commission.
OCS you still have to earn a degree.
Direct Commission would apply to a speciality. Lawyer, Doctor, PA
There are plenty of enlisted with degrees.
Service Academy, ROTC, OCS , and direct commission.
OCS you still have to earn a degree.
Direct Commission would apply to a speciality. Lawyer, Doctor, PA
There are plenty of enlisted with degrees.
Posted on 11/15/22 at 10:43 pm to RummelTiger
I’d advise him to go to school, forget about the military, and enjoy his life.
Assuming he won’t listen, at all cost, get a degree first and go in commissioned. DO NOT ENLIST IF HE HAS A PATH TO GETTING A DEGREE. I say again…GET A COMMISSION.
Find a speciality within the military that he can use after he gets out. There is excellent training/schools available that will greatly enhance his post-military career options. The infantry was fun, but it doesn’t translate well to mainstream civilian careers. I’ve had to fight an uphill battle my entire post retirement life…but I’m a master at small unit tactics and weapons employment…for what it’s worth…LOL.
I would avoid the academies. They are infested with social justice warriors these days. He can go to any university, graduate, and get a commission.
Again, best option is to avoid all the bullshite and don’t join. Enjoy his health and focus on having a happy, productive, life. This government does not deserve his sacrifice.
Assuming he won’t listen, at all cost, get a degree first and go in commissioned. DO NOT ENLIST IF HE HAS A PATH TO GETTING A DEGREE. I say again…GET A COMMISSION.
Find a speciality within the military that he can use after he gets out. There is excellent training/schools available that will greatly enhance his post-military career options. The infantry was fun, but it doesn’t translate well to mainstream civilian careers. I’ve had to fight an uphill battle my entire post retirement life…but I’m a master at small unit tactics and weapons employment…for what it’s worth…LOL.
I would avoid the academies. They are infested with social justice warriors these days. He can go to any university, graduate, and get a commission.
Again, best option is to avoid all the bullshite and don’t join. Enjoy his health and focus on having a happy, productive, life. This government does not deserve his sacrifice.
Posted on 11/15/22 at 10:44 pm to CountMeIn
Tell him don't, it's woke bs full of cowardly politicians posing as leaders.
Posted on 11/15/22 at 10:45 pm to CountMeIn
Was in the Marines 16-20 and it was already bullshite. It’s only getting worse now. The grass is greener on this side.
Posted on 11/15/22 at 10:55 pm to CountMeIn
The best life decision I made for myself outside of marrying my wife.
I was an undisciplined a-hole as a kid with no perspective or life experience, so my dad was pretty adamant about me getting out of the house as soon as I graduated from high school. He'd casually mention it here and there. He said something about it one day before I graduated and I told him not to worry because I'd joined the Army. All the sudden I could stay and go to school and work a part time job to get some overhead for when I really did move out.
No, I already joined. He didn't understand. I was on the plane to boot camp like 3 weeks after I graduated.
Fast forward 15 years later and I had my education paid for in full with the GI Bill, house bought with VA loan, zero debt, and every job I've ever gotten an interview for the absolute first thing that gets mentioned is my Veteran status. It's something most people respect. I got to travel all over the country, did my tour in Afghanistan, met so many people and developed so many connections.
I will never tell anyone not to serve.
I was an undisciplined a-hole as a kid with no perspective or life experience, so my dad was pretty adamant about me getting out of the house as soon as I graduated from high school. He'd casually mention it here and there. He said something about it one day before I graduated and I told him not to worry because I'd joined the Army. All the sudden I could stay and go to school and work a part time job to get some overhead for when I really did move out.
No, I already joined. He didn't understand. I was on the plane to boot camp like 3 weeks after I graduated.
Fast forward 15 years later and I had my education paid for in full with the GI Bill, house bought with VA loan, zero debt, and every job I've ever gotten an interview for the absolute first thing that gets mentioned is my Veteran status. It's something most people respect. I got to travel all over the country, did my tour in Afghanistan, met so many people and developed so many connections.
I will never tell anyone not to serve.
Posted on 11/15/22 at 11:03 pm to BoostAddict
quote:
My son is doing something similar. He want's to try being a pilot first, then an engineer. He actually has his first flight lesson next week. Kid has been getting flight sim chit for his bday and Christmas for years... Looks like a damn 737 cockpit in his room right now!
That's bad arse. I see ads and videos of those elaborate flight sim setups you can get at home now and I wish I had time and $$ for that shite. I'd fly all over the world in a frickin helicopter. Yep.
Posted on 11/15/22 at 11:12 pm to TBoy
quote:
If he can get into any of the service academies, absolutely go. He will get a great classic education and will have a more rewarding enlistment.
You do understand Officers don’t enlist?
Posted on 11/15/22 at 11:24 pm to mikelbr
quote:
hat's bad arse. I see ads and videos of those elaborate flight sim setups you can get at home now and I wish I had time and $$ for that shite. I'd fly all over the world in a frickin helicopter. Yep.
I'll say one thing. Flying a helicopter is fvcking HARD AF! He's got the cyclic and collective sticks and man... you think you're flying along fine and boom. Chit...crashed again! I'll never fly in a real helicopter. Fvcking voodoo magic is the only thing keeping them in the air.
Posted on 11/15/22 at 11:34 pm to CharlesLSU
Becoming a SEAL sniper is one of the hardest things to accomplish in the military so I’d tell him not bank on that but hey they are out there so someone has to be one. Sniper school was the hardest school I went through personally, more mentally than anything. I will say a sniper mission is one of the most intense nerve wracking things you can do even as a spotter.
Posted on 11/15/22 at 11:35 pm to CountMeIn
My son is currently active duty army. He is 22 and has been in for almost 4 years of his 6 year enlistment. He has already decided to sign up for another 6 years.
Here is what I know:
1) my son is following a family tradition of serving the country - he is about the 6th or 7th generation to serve that I can identify. It may go back further. So serving is in his blood. M
2) my son would be kicked out of the regular army in about 3 days. He is spec ops and they live different.
3) big army is fricked up. A total social experiment. I would say more than 1/2 of big army is brainwashed.
4) if you son wants to serve have him get a spec ops/ special forces track. He will be surrounded by the best of the best. Yes he will work harder at a higher risk job but most of the guys he is around are real Americans.
5) he needs to be prepared to be gone a lot. My son is over 150 days gone already this year split between trips (training) and deployments (war zones).
It’s not for everyone but still done right one hell of a life.
Here is what I know:
1) my son is following a family tradition of serving the country - he is about the 6th or 7th generation to serve that I can identify. It may go back further. So serving is in his blood. M
2) my son would be kicked out of the regular army in about 3 days. He is spec ops and they live different.
3) big army is fricked up. A total social experiment. I would say more than 1/2 of big army is brainwashed.
4) if you son wants to serve have him get a spec ops/ special forces track. He will be surrounded by the best of the best. Yes he will work harder at a higher risk job but most of the guys he is around are real Americans.
5) he needs to be prepared to be gone a lot. My son is over 150 days gone already this year split between trips (training) and deployments (war zones).
It’s not for everyone but still done right one hell of a life.
Posted on 11/15/22 at 11:36 pm to BoostAddict
quote:
I'll say one thing. Flying a helicopter is fvcking HARD AF! He's got the cyclic and collective sticks and man... you think you're flying along fine and boom. Chit...crashed again! I'll never fly in a real helicopter. Fvcking voodoo magic is the only thing keeping them in the air.
The Army has a "High School to Flight School" program your son should look into if interested. He'd be a Warrant Officer.
Posted on 11/15/22 at 11:38 pm to TBoy
quote:
If he can get into any of the service academies, absolutely go. He will get a great classic education and will have a more rewarding enlistment.
I had an initially awkward but incredibly informative conversation with an Air Force Academy Graduate in April this year.
He's a young black man originally from a poor Philadelphia neighborhood. He said a local politician came to his high school and sought him out after the ASVAB test. They did the whole dog and pony show of "getting a smart black kid out of the ghetto" and sent him to the UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY.
He only did it to make his parents happy. Now, 4 years later and a month from graduation, he's miserable and dreading the next 8 years of his life(5 years active and 3 years reserve).
This post was edited on 11/15/22 at 11:51 pm
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